Bangladesh to Set Up Two Army Camps Near Rohingya Camps in Cox’s Bazar

The Bangladesh government has decided to establish two army camps in the hilly areas adjacent to the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar to curb kidnapping, ransom demands and other criminal activities.

The two camps will operate under the 10th Infantry Division of the Bangladesh Army, based at Ramu Cantonment. The government has also decided to rebuild damaged barbed-wire fencing around the Rohingya camps and install solar-powered lights, CCTV cameras and watchtowers.

Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed the decisions to journalists on Thursday after a meeting of the National Committee on Coordination, Management and Law and Order for Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals at the Home Ministry’s conference room at the Secretariat.

The minister said kidnappings occur regularly in the hilly areas near the Rohingya camps. People are allegedly abducted from different locations and taken to the hills, where ransoms are demanded. He said several such incidents have been reported.

Based on recommendations from relevant stakeholders, the government decided to establish two army camps in the area to strengthen security and control such crimes, the minister said.

He added that the issue of setting up army camps in two areas, including Rongikhali, had previously been discussed during a meeting on drug-related issues in Cox’s Bazar. Authorities believe a permanent army presence in the areas could help curb kidnappings and other criminal activities more effectively.

Describing the overall law-and-order situation in the Rohingya camps, the home minister said authorities are dealing with drug trafficking, online gambling, human trafficking and the activities of various armed groups inside the camps.

Other crimes, including weapons-related offenses and violations of existing laws, are also being reported, he said. Regular operations are being conducted to tackle these activities and maintain security in and around the camps.